Once in a

lifetime chance
By Steve Behr

Appalachian State coach Houston Fancher told an out of town reporter just why the Mountaineers would want to take on Kentucky, even if it is at a neutral site.

“We’re getting ready for Milligan,” he joked.

OK, so Appalachian State’s showdown with Milligan is not until Dec. 30. The Mountaineers’ showdown with Kentucky is Saturday, but it is being played at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky., not in Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky.

Still, the Wildcats (7-3), even if they are not ranked in either the AP or the coaches polls, are still the Wildcats. It’s a chance for the Mountaineers (4-3) to test themselves against a team that has lost to the likes of VMI earlier this year, but also trounced Indiana last week.

“I’m looking forward to playing bigger D-I schools,” ASU forward Josh Hunter said. “I know we’re better than how we play at times, so I’m excited to get a chance to play against a D-I school.”

Fancher has plenty of respect for the Wildcats, but also knows that if the Mountaineers are intimidated by Kentucky’s tradition or Southeastern Conference status, they’ll be in trouble.

“You’re talking about the all-time winningest team in college basketball history,” Fancher said. “It’s basketball royalty, if you will, and we have to put that type of stuff aeside. Our kids love to play games like this. Supposedly you can go in without any pressure, pin your ears back and play. That’s what we hope our kids will do.”

The Mountaineers have faced, and beaten, Southeastern Conference teams before. They went to Little Rock, Ark. last season and beat Arkansas 74-67 by shooting 66.7 percent from the field and 12-of-12 from the foul line.

One season before that, they beat Vanderbilt and the ACC’s Virginia in the San Juan Shootout. They also beat Central Florida in that tournament. All of those games were at neutral sites, such as the game Saturday.

“I’ve become fond of playing guarantee games on neutral courts,” Fancher said. “It will still be in Kentucky and there will still be 18-or-19,000 people there. They’ll be playing in a gym they’re not used to playing and it won’t be Rupp Arena, it will be Freedom Hall. They’ll be on the road a little bit like we will, just not as much.

“It gives us a little more of a chance,” Fancher added. “It doesn’t give them the confines of the goals and the dressing rooms at home. The comfort level changes a little bit when you do have to go on the road and play.”

The Mountaineers know that a win over Kentucky would be compared to the football team’s win over Michigan in 2007. Kentucky is a highly visible program with seven national championship banners hanging in Rupp Arena.

As the football team went to Michigan with a plan to beat the Wolverines, the Mountaineers feel that if they can make their shots and limit their mistakes, they can beat Kentucky.

“I think so. Nobody thought we would beat Arkansas last year,” guard Kellen Brand. “We knew we could surprise the nation, just like they did when they beat Michigan. It’s going to be the game to watch. I hope people will tune us in and watch, because I feel we can give Kentucky a run.”

Kentucky is just the first of two games the Mountaineers play against teams from power conferences.

Following their home game with Milligan (Tenn.), the Mountaineers play at Texas on Jan. 3.
The Longhorns are ranked No. 5 in the nation in the AP poll.

“I’m just excited about the opportunity and I hope we can go up there and get a win,” Appalachian State’s 6-foot-10 center Ike Butts said. “Going into the game, not just me, but everybody has to bring their ‘A’ game with them. We have to play had and execute.”

The Mountaineers are coming off an 89-70 loss to East Tennessee State last Saturday. Appalachian State led 37-35 at halftime, but the Bucs’ athletic trio of point guard Courtney Pigram (29 points), guard Kevin Tiggs (31) points and guard-forward Mike Smith (18 points) were too much for the Mountaineers to overcome.
The Wildcats have been earning the reputation of having a smothering defense, but has also struggled with turnovers. They are led in scoring by 6-4 guard Jodie Meeks, and are anchored up front by 6-9 Patrick Patterson and 6-9 Perry Stevenson.

“Patrick Patterson on the inside — he’s who they revolve their offense around,” Fancher said. “He’s long, he’s athletic and he finishes plays around the bucket. He’s a great shot blocker and he does a lot of things on the floor.”

Point guard has been a position the Wildcats have struggled. Michael Porter is the starter, but Kentucky also has 6-6 freshman DeAndre Liggins, who can play both the shooting and the point guard.

“We’ve just got to play our game ands not try to play their game,” Hunter said. “When you play another team’s game, you can’t focus right. We’re just going to try to play our game and just do the best we can.”